PORT ANGELES — While the Showcase building supply store in Port Angeles is closing its doors for good on Sept. 25, The Quarry natural stone dealer at the corner of Front and Race streets will stay open under new ownership.
Former manager Greg Downing and his wife, Galin, took ownership of The Quarry on Sept. 1. The store at 833 E. Front St. sells such natural stones such as ledgestone, flagstone and river boulders.
“I think the stone and masonry supply business is going to rebound quicker than the lumber business,” Downing said.
While few homes are being built right now, many people are improving their yards and home interiors with masonry, he said.
“I think there’s more short-term growth potential in this than the lumber business,” Downing said.
Downing has managed The Quarry since its inception on June 1, 2008. He has been in the masonry and stone supply business for almost 42 years.
Since he moved to the North Olympic Peninsula in February 1989, Downing has built relationships with suppliers in Montana, Utah and other Rocky Mountain states.
He said there is a wide variety of colors, shapes and styles of rock that some use as a veneer.
Flagstone is commonly used as stepping stones for patios and walkways, Downing said. Ledgestone can be used for garden walls and other applications.
Liquidation sale
Meanwhile, the Showcase, located in the same building as The Quarry, plans a liquidation sale on Sept. 24 and 25 to clear its inventory.
The sale will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days, said Donna Pacheco, spokeswoman for Lumber Traders Inc., the parent company of both stores.
The Showcase, which closed for business Aug. 31, sold built-in cabinet displays, desks, furniture, fixtures, in-stock windows, doors, cabinet pulls, knobs and home accessories.
Visit www.angelesmillwork.com for a photo catalog of the items to be sold at the liquidation sale.
“There will be a lot of displays and countertops and furnishing and decor items,” Pacheco said.
Prices for the clearance sale have not been finalized.
“People will need to sort through what’s available,” Pacheco said.
Any unsold stock from the Showcase will be moved to Angeles Millwork & Lumber Co. at 1601 S. C St., Port Angeles.
Downing, who sold stone at Hartnagel Building Supply at 3111 E. U.S. Highway 101 before becoming a manager at The Quarry, created the 800-square-foot stone design showroom at The Quarry.
“I developed a passion for natural stone,” said Downing, 60.
“I’m Irish, and I’m not ready to quit.”
Downing helped bring in more stone products to the Peninsula.
“We weathered the box store invasion,” he said.
“It’s kind of a niche market. It’s something that I truly enjoy. I’m not prepared to hang up the hammers.”
Downing said he has ordered more stock to keep the showcase full through the winter, when stone mining in the Rockies grinds to a halt.
The Quarry is open Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The entrance is located through the gates on the west side of the building, Pacheco said.
In an earlier interview with the Peninsula Daily News, Lumber Traders Chief Executive Officer Arnold Schouten said the Showcase was closing because of a reduced demand for building and construction materials.
The Showcase opened in early 2008.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
